Ulcer Risk Research Articles

349 Addressing the Gaps in Diabetic Foot Ulcer Management: Prediction and Prevention

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: Globally, diabetes affects 537 million people and 15-25% will develop a foot ulcer in their lifetime. Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) tend to be chronic and non-healing due to the poor wound healing environment, leading to infection or amputation. Our study aims to develop a method to predict and prevent DFU formation. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Our preliminary plan is to develop a method to detect high plantar pressures, coupled with the ability to automatically adjust an orthotic device to offload excess pressure. Our current aim is to create a “smart orthotic” which will link with foot mapping technology to automatically offload high pressure areas, reducing the need for a separate clinic visit for orthotic adjustment. We aim to prove that our device will normalize plantar pressure distribution, which will prevent callus and subsequent DFU formation. The current target population includes those with diagnosed diabetes and are ambulatory. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: With our technology, we anticipate normalization of plantar pressure distribution in a more frequent fashion than is currently done. Because annual orthotic fittings, which is current standard of care, do not provide regular enough adjustments to match the rate of diabetic foot structural changes and peak plantar pressure redistribution, our device will address two gaps in management. One, patients will receive near-instantaneous changes in plantar pressure offloading, allowing for near continuous orthotic customization. Secondly, our device would reduce the clinical appointment burden, which would be especially important for patients with multiple medical comorbidities or experience other barriers to accessing healthcare. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: While DFUs are commonplace and their complications are well recognized, there still exists a gap in ulcer prevention. Our proposed solution will redistribute pathologic plantar pressures, allow for more frequent monitoring, automatic therapy, and aid in the management of high ulcer risk patients.

Effect of Buerger-Allen exercise on wound healing in patients with diabetic foot ulcers: a randomised controlled trial.

A diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a complication of type 2 diabetes that is difficult to treat. Buerger-Allen exercise has shown effectiveness in improving foot circulation and neuropathy in several studies; however, to the best of our knowledge, no randomised controlled study has investigated its effectiveness for DFU healing. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the effects of Buerger-Allen exercise on the healing of DFUs in patients with type 2 diabetes. This is a parallel-group randomised controlled trial (RCT). Of 50 patients with neuropathic DFUs, 41 completed the study. They were assigned randomly to a study group (n=21) and a control group (n=20). Patients in the study group received the standard medical treatment and semi-supervised Buerger-Allen exercise for three sessions per week for four weeks, while patients in the control group only received the standard medical treatment. The outcome measures were: ankle-brachial pressure index (ABPI); ulcer size; ulcer depth; SINBAD score; and ulcer risk for poor outcomes (based on the SINBAD score). The study group's mean age was 49.48±6.45 years and the control group's mean age was 49.15±5.85. The study group's ABPI increased significantly compared to the baseline (1.17±0.04 versus 1.11±0.05, respectively; p<0.001) and the control group (1.17±0.04 versus 1.14±0.05, respectively; p=0.04) post-intervention. Ulcer size also reduced significantly in the study group compared to the baseline (2.63±2.0 versus 7.48±5.55cm2, respectively; p<0.001) and the control group (2.63±2.0 versus 6.43±4.45cm2, respectively; p<0.001) post-intervention. Ulcer depth decreased significantly in the study group compared to the baseline (1.71±1.05 versus 4.19±1.74mm, respectively; p<0.001) and the control group (1.71±1.05 versus 2.80±1.57mm, respectively; p=0.01) post-intervention. Furthermore, the SINBAD score in the study group decreased significantly compared to the baseline (1.38±0.86 versus 2.14±1.06, respectively; p<0.001) and the control group (1.38±0.86 versus 2.0±0.79, respectively; p=0.02) post-intervention. Moreover, the ulcer risk for poor outcomes, based on the SINBAD score, reduced significantly only in the study group, compared to the baseline (p=0.041). The control group showed non-significant changes compared to the baseline in all outcome measures (p>0.05). From the findings of this RCT, Buerger-Allen exercise, in combination with standard wound care, may help accelerate the healing of neuropathic DFUs in patients with type 2 diabetes, and could be suggested as part of the management plan for such conditions as an easy-to-perform offloading exercise intervention.

Association between onychomycosis and ulcerative complications in patients with diabetes: a longitudinal cohort study in Dutch general practice

IntroductionDiabetic foot ulcers are feared complications of diabetes mellitus (DM), requiring extensive treatment and hospital admissions, ultimately leading to amputation and increased mortality. Different factors contribute to the development of...

Comparative analysis of pressure ulcer development in stroke patients within and outside healthcare facilities: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The risk of pressure ulcers in stroke patients is a significant concern, impacting their recovery and quality of life. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigate the prevalence and risk factors of pressure ulcers in stroke patients, comparing those in healthcare facilities with those in home-based or non-clinical environments. The study aims to elucidate how different care settings affect the development of pressure ulcers, serving as a crucial indicator of patient care quality and management across diverse healthcare contexts. Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library. Inclusion criteria encompassed studies on stroke patients in various settings, reporting on the incidence or prevalence of pressure ulcers. Exclusion criteria included non-stroke patients, non-original research and studies with incomplete data. The Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used for quality assessment, and statistical analyses involved both fixed-effect and random-effects models, depending on the heterogeneity observed. A total of 1542 articles were initially identified, with 11 studies meeting the inclusion criteria. The studies exhibited significant heterogeneity, necessitating the use of a random-effects model. The pooled prevalence of pressure injuries was 9.53% in patients without family medical services and 2.64% in patients with medical services. Sensitivity analysis confirmed the stability of these results, and no significant publication bias was detected through funnel plot analysis and Egger's linear regression test. The meta-analysis underscores the heightened risk of pressure injuries in stroke patients, especially post-discharge. It calls for concerted efforts among healthcare providers, policymakers and caregivers to implement targeted strategies tailored to the specific needs of different care environments. Future research should focus on developing and evaluating interventions to effectively integrate into routine care and reduce the incidence of pressure injuries in stroke patients.

Noninvasive monitoring technologies to identify discomfort and distressing symptoms in persons with limited communication at the end of life: a scoping review

BackgroundDiscomfort and distressing symptoms are common at the end of life, while people in this stage are often no longer able to express themselves. Technologies may aid clinicians in detecting and treating these symptoms to improve end-of-life care. This review provides an overview of noninvasive monitoring technologies that may be applied to persons with limited communication at the end of life to identify discomfort.MethodsA systematic search was performed in nine databases, and experts were consulted. Manuscripts were included if they were written in English, Dutch, German, French, Japanese or Chinese, if the monitoring technology measured discomfort or distressing symptoms, was noninvasive, could be continuously administered for 4 hours and was potentially applicable for bed-ridden people. The screening was performed by two researchers independently. Information about the technology, its clinimetrics (validity, reliability, sensitivity, specificity, responsiveness), acceptability, and feasibility were extracted.ResultsOf the 3,414 identified manuscripts, 229 met the eligibility criteria. A variety of monitoring technologies were identified, including actigraphy, brain activity monitoring, electrocardiography, electrodermal activity monitoring, surface electromyography, incontinence sensors, multimodal systems, and noncontact monitoring systems. The main indicators of discomfort monitored by these technologies were sleep, level of consciousness, risk of pressure ulcers, urinary incontinence, agitation, and pain. For the end-of-life phase, brain activity monitors could be helpful and acceptable to monitor the level of consciousness during palliative sedation. However, no manuscripts have reported on the clinimetrics, feasibility, and acceptability of the other technologies for the end-of-life phase.ConclusionsNoninvasive monitoring technologies are available to measure common symptoms at the end of life. Future research should evaluate the quality of evidence provided by existing studies and investigate the feasibility, acceptability, and usefulness of these technologies in the end-of-life setting. Guidelines for studies on healthcare technologies should be better implemented and further developed.

Pressure ulcer risk assessment in the ICU. Is it time for a more objective measure?

BackgroundThe Braden scale, one of the most widely used risk assessment tools is often criticized when used in the Intensive Care Unit. Most patients in the Intensive Care Unit are at risk of pressure ulcer development meaning that the Braden score will usually indicate high risk for these patients. This study set out to determine the correlation between Sub-Epidermal Moisture measurements and Braden scores among Intensive Care Unit patients. MethodsThis study employed an observational research design. Braden score was assessed on all study days (1–5), in addition to visual skin assessment and Sub-Epidermal Moisture measurements at the sacrum and heels. Sub-Epidermal Moisture measurements were categorised as low (<0.5), borderline abnormal (≥0.5), and high (≥0.8). Correlation was assessed between Sub-Epidermal Moisture levels and Braden scores. ResultsA total of 53 participants were recruited. The median (interquartile range) baseline Braden score was 9 (9–10) and 81 % (n = 43) of participants were at very high/high risk of pressure ulcer development. Braden scores remained relatively constant over time with little fluctuation in scores. 19 % (n = 10) of patients had normal (<0.5) Sub-Epidermal Moisture delta measurements on enrolment, and all developed abnormal measurements by day 2. There were no significant correlations between Braden scores and Sub-Epidermal Moisture measurements. ConclusionAlthough this was not its original intention, a missing link with the Braden scale is that it does not provide information on how patients are responding to the adverse effects of pressure and shear forces. Furthermore, in patients who are critically unwell, most patients are classified as being “at risk” of pressure ulcer development. Therefore, an objective measure of how patients are responding to pressure and shear forces at different anatomical areas is needed. Implications to clinical practiceSub-Epidermal Moisture measurements can offer more information, not only on identifying those who are at risk, but also how those patients are tolerating this risk at different anatomical sites.

Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) Augmentation Enhances the Mechanical Characteristics of Midfoot Beam Constructs in Charcot Neuroarthropathy Cadaver Model.

Even with the best conservative care, patients with Charcot neuroarthropathy (CN) of the foot and ankle often ulcerate, increasing their risk of infection, amputation, and death. Surgical fixation has been associated with risk of recurrent ulceration, potentially due to poor bone quality prone to recurrent deformity and ulceration. We propose midfoot beam reconstruction with PMMA augmentation as a novel means of improving fixation. A protocol was developed to create characteristic CN midfoot fragmentation both visually and fluoroscopically in each of 12 matched-pair cadaveric feet. Afterward, the pairs were divided into 2 groups: (1) midfoot beam fusion surgery alone, and (2) midfoot beam fusion surgery augmented with PMMA. A solid 7.0-mm beam was placed into the medial column and a solid 5.5-mm beam was placed across the lateral column. In the PMMA group, 8 to 10 mL of PMMA was inserted into the medial column. The hindfoot of each specimen was potted and the metatarsal heads were cyclically loaded for 1800 cycles, followed by load to failure while load and displacement were continually recorded. One specimen in the beam alone group failed before reaching the 1800th cycle and was not included in the failure analysis. The midfoot beam only group demonstrated greater mean displacement during cycle testing compared with the PMMA group, P < .05. The maximum force (N), stiffness (N/mm), and toughness (Nmm) were all significantly greater in the group augmented with PMMA, P < .05. In a CN cadaveric model, PMMA augmentation significantly decreased gapping during cyclic loading and nearly doubled the load to failure compared with midfoot beams alone. The results of this biomechanical study demonstrate that augmentation of midfoot beams with PMMA increases the strength and stiffness of the fusion construct. This increased mechanical toughness may help reduce the risk of nonunion and infection in patients with neuropathic midfoot collapse.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the rate of lower limb amputation in Veterans.

The COVID-19 pandemic led to changes in health care, including postponement of nonurgent appointments. These changes, combined with overall decreased activity levels, may have placed individuals with vascular disease at increased risk for skin ulceration and amputation. To determine the rates of lower limb amputation in Veterans due to complications of diabetes and/or vascular disease in the year following onset of the COVID-19 pandemic (March 2020-March 2021) compared to the previous 3 years (March 2017-March 2020). Retrospective chart review. Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System. Veterans with a vascular consult appointment note between March 1, 2017, and February 28, 2021. Not applicable. Primary outcome was lower limb amputation rate in the year following onset of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the previous 3 years. Secondary outcome was the rate of lower limb wounds in the same time frame. We hypothesized that rates of lower limb amputation and wounds increased during the pandemic. Vascular consult appointments (n = 4183) were reviewed between March 1, 2017, and February 28, 2021. Significantly higher rates of amputation (7.52% vs. 5.19%; p = .006) and wound presence (16.77% vs. 11.66%; p < .001) were found 1 year postpandemic compared to the previous 3 years. Amputation and wound rates did not significantly increase between pairs of consecutive years prior to the pandemic but significantly increased between the year preceding the pandemic and the first year of the pandemic (amputation p = .047; wound p = .004). Increased rates of amputation and wounds in Veterans following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic are likely due to disruption of care, lifestyle changes, and other pandemic-related factors. Awareness of COVID-19-related negative health effects is imperative for health care providers to ensure appropriate allocation of resources and alternate models for care delivery for amputation and preventative care as part of disaster response.

Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Diagnosis of Melanoma and Keratinocyte Carcinomas: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Since December 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected healthcare. The real effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on skin cancer are still unclear, more than 3 years later. This study aims to summarise the pandemic's impact on skin cancer diagnosis and outcome. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted, selecting studies comparing skin cancer diagnosis and prognosis post-pandemic with pre-pandemic data. A total of 27 papers were reviewed including 102,263 melanomas and 271,483 keratinocyte carcinomas. During the initial pandemic months (January-July 2020), melanoma surgeries dropped by 29.7% and keratinocyte carcinomas surgeries by 50.8%. Early pandemic tumours exhibited greater thickness and stage. In a long-term period beyond the initial months, melanoma surgeries decreased by 9.3%, keratinocyte carcinomas by 16.6%. No significant differences were observed in the Breslow thickness of melanomas after the start of the pandemic (mean difference 0.06, 95% confidence interval -0.46, 0.58). Melanomas operated on post-pandemic onset had an increased risk of ulceration (odds ratio 1.35, 95% confidence interval 1.22-1.50). Keratinocyte carcinomas showed increased thickness and worsened stage post-pandemic. However, studies included were mostly retrospective and cross-sectional, reporting diverse data. This review indicates that the pandemic likely caused delays in skin cancer diagnosis and treatment, potentially impacting patient outcomes.

Analysing Health Professionals&amp;apos; Adherence to National Guidelines and Comparing Diabetes Care in Specialized Care Centres and Hospitals

The socioeconomic impact of diabetes treatment includes significant costs for diagnosis, treatments, hospitalizations, and associated social challenges. According to the International diabetic federation (IDF) guidelines, effective management entails a holistic strategy including nutritious diet, avoiding carbonated beverages, quitting smoking, and routine exercising. Targeted weight loss is critical, comprising antidiabetic medications, a specific food plan, and lifestyle changes to attain a 7-8% glycated hemoglobin level. Proper medicine and footwear use reduces ulcer risks and further complications. The IDF emphasizes detailed treatment plans and sequential screenings. Diabetes management is obligatory, focusing glycaemic control, lifestyle changes, and risk assessment. A study examines treatment programs, medical behaviour, and factors impacting diabetic care reception. This study examined diabetes mellitus treatment in medical facilities by conducting health information reviews in outpatient clinics with a sample size of 400 records. Java applets detected problems, indicating 95% confidence in therapy. Cross-sectional studies in Peshawar hospitals included 250 patients, whereas specialized diabetic treatment centers evaluated 150 patients. Documented care differed; public hospitals had lower foot inspection rates (16.4%) than specialized care (14%). Statistical analysis, such as the Chung test and binary logistic regression, was used to assess variable relationships. Smoking was common (86%), and 59.8% relied on oral anti-diabetic medications. Less than 30% follow up examinations were recorded in public hospitals which showed discrepancies in documentation. Diabetes management can be improved, particularly through better screening procedures. Discrepancies between provided and documented care underscore the need for higher documentation standards. Private clinics demonstrated comparatively better care, possibly influenced by consultation fees, facility availability, and a comfortable environment—attributes lacking in public hospitals in Pakistan.

In-Shoe Pressure Measurements in Diabetic Footwear Practice: Success Rate and Facilitators of and Barriers to Implementation.

We aimed to assess the success rate and facilitators of and the barriers to the implementation of in-shoe plantar pressure measurements in footwear practice for people with diabetes at high risk of foot ulceration. Eleven Dutch footwear practices were partly supported in purchasing a pressure measurement system. Over a 2.5-year period, trained shoe technicians evaluated 1030 people with diabetes (range: 13 to 156 across practices). The implementation success and associated facilitators and barriers were evaluated quantitatively using completed measurement forms and pressure measurement data obtained during four monitoring sessions and qualitatively through semi-structured interviews with technicians. Across the 11 practices, the primary target group (people with diabetes and a healed plantar foot ulcer) represented 25-90% of all the patients measured. The results showed that three practices were successful, five moderately successful, and three not successful. The facilitators included support by the company management board, collaboration with a prescribing physician, measurement sessions separate from the outpatient clinic, and a (dedicated) shoe technician experiencing a learning effect. The barriers included investment costs, usability aspects, and limited awareness among shoe technicians. In-shoe plantar pressure measurements can be implemented to a moderate to large degree in diabetic footwear practice. The barriers to and facilitators of implementation are organizational, logistical, financial, or technical, and the barriers are modifiable, supporting future implementation.

Plantar pressure gradient and pressure gradient angle are affected by inner pressure of air insole.

Clinically, air insoles may be applied to shoes to decrease plantar pressure gradient (PPG) and increase plantar gradient angle (PGA) to reduce foot ulcers. PPG and PGA may cause skin breakdown. The effects of different inner pressures of inflatable air insoles on dynamic PPG and PGA distributions are largely unknown in non-diabetics and people with diabetes. This study aimed to explore the impact of varying inner air insole pressures on PPG and PGA to establish early mitigation strategies for people at risk of foot ulcers. A repeated measures study design, including three air insoles (80mmHg, 160mmHg, and 240mmHg) and two walking durations (10 and 20min) for a total of six walking protocols, was tested on 13 healthy participants (height, 165.8 ± 8.4cm; age, 27.0 ± 7.3years; and weight, 56.0 ± 7.9kg, BMI: 20.3 ± 1.7kg/m^2) over three consecutive weeks. PPG, a measurement of the spatial variation in plantar pressure around the peak plantar pressure (PPP) and PGA, a variation in the gradient direction values at the three plantar regions, big toe (T1), first metatarsal head (M1), and second metatarsal head (M2), were calculated. This study indicated that PPG was lower at 80mmHg air insoles after 20min of walking in the M1 region (p = 0.010). The PGA in the M2 increased at an air insole of 80mmHg compared to 240mmHg (p = 0.015). Compared to 20min, the 10min walking duration at 240mmHg of air insole had the lowest PPG in the M1 (p = 0.015) and M2 (p = 0.034) regions. The 80mmHg air insole significantly lowered the PPG compared to a 160mmHg and 240mmHg air insole. Moreover, the 80mmHg air insole significantly decreased PPP and increased PGA compared to the 160mmHg and 240mmHg air insole. A shorter walking period (10min) significantly lowered PPG. The findings of this study suggest that people with a higher risk of foot ulcers should wear softer air insoles to have a lower PPG, as well as an increased PGA.

Medical device-related pressure injuries in intensive care patients: A prospective and descriptive study

BackgroundTreatment and care of patients in intensive care units require the use of many medical and technological instruments. Pressure injuries occur when medical devices, which are used more in intensive care patients and are in direct or indirect contact with the skin, cause focal and localized forces on the superficial or deep tissues. ObjectiveIn this study, it was aimed to examine the risk factors, incidence and characteristics of medical device-related pressure injuries in intensive care patients. MethodsThis study has a prospective and descriptive design. The study was carried out in the adult intensive care unit of a healthcare institution located in the western Turkey. 138 intensive care patients treated in the level 3 adult intensive care unit were enrolled in the study. The first observations and evaluations of intensive care patients in terms of pressure injuries were made within the first 24 h after admission to the clinic. Observations continued daily during the hospitalization period of the patient. Data were collected with the Intensive Care Patient Information Form, Glasgow Coma Scale, Braden Pressure Ulcer Risk Assessment Scale and Identification Form for Medical device-related Pressure Ulcers. Analysis of data was performed with descriptive statistical methods, Shapiro-Wilk Test, Mann-Whitney U Test and Chi-Square analysis. ResultsMedical device-related pressure injury developed in 11.6% (n = 16) of intensive care patients. Anatomically, pressure injury occurred most frequently on the lip (37.5%) and most frequently due to the intubation tube (37.5%). Most of the developed wounds (75.0%) were found to be stage 2. Multinominal logistic regression analysis, which was performed to determine the effect of independent variables on medical device-related pressure injuries in intensive care patients, was found to be statistically significant (X2 = 37.098, p < 0.001). When the regression coefficients were examined, it was found that total hospitalization time in the intensive care unit (β = 0.948, p < 0.01) and PaCO2 level (β = 0.923, p < 0.01) had a positive, and duration of aerobic respiration with nasal cannula or mask (β = −0.920, p < 0.01) and Braden score (β = −0.948, p < 0.01) had a negative and significant effect on medical device-related pressure injuries. ConclusionsIn this study found that the MDRPIs development rate was lower than other studies. It was observed that pressure injuries due to medical devices developed more frequently in patients with longer hospitalization days, higher PaCO2 levels, shorter duration of oxygenated breathing with nasal cannula or mask, and lower Braden scores.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Foot Care and the Risk of Foot Ulcers in Diabetic Patients in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Diabetic patients in Saudi Arabia are often underinformed about proper diabetic foot care. This study aims to determine the knowledge, attitude, and practice of the risk factors of diabetic foot ulcers among diabetic patients in the Jeddah region of Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was done on 210 diabetic patients attending the international diabetic center in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, during the study period. A validated questionnaire was used to collect data about participants' demographics and knowledge, attitudes, and practices of diabetic foot care. Of the participants, 77 (36.7%) were aged 51-60 years; 161 (76.7%) were male; 153 (72.9%) had a university education; and approximately 138 (65%) had type 2 DM. A majority, 190 (90.5%), acknowledged that DM patients might have reduced foot sensation; 204 (97.1%) agreed that diabetics could develop gangrene; 188 (89.5%) concurred that poor foot sensation increases the risk of foot ulcers; and 193 (91.9%) agreed that poor blood flow to the feet heightens this risk. Among them, 152 (72.4%) demonstrated good knowledge about foot care and the risk of foot ulcers; eight (3.8%) exhibited a positive attitude; and 95 (45.2%) showed a good level of practice. Good knowledge was significantly higher among married patients, and good practice was notably higher among older patients (>50 years). A significant positive correlation was found between knowledge scores and both attitude and practice scores. The study revealed adequate knowledge and practice of foot care and the risk of foot ulcers among diabetic patients. However, a high percentage of negative attitudes toward these issues were observed.

Prevalence and risk factors for diabetic foot complications among people living with diabetes in Harare, Zimbabwe: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundDiabetic foot disease (DF) is a common diabetes-related complication; however, the prevalence and associated risk factors for DF are not well characterised among people living with diabetes (PLWD) in Zimbabwe. This may suggest the unavailability of adequate strategies to diagnose and treat DF in the country. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of DF and associated risk factors for PLWD in Harare, Zimbabwe.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study, employing a quantitative approach. In total, 352 PLWD were recruited from 16 primary care clinics in Harare. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected via face-to-face interviews and clinical records reviews. The DF screening included an evaluation for peripheral neuropathy, ankle-brachial index (ABI), ulceration, and amputation. Self-administered questionnaires were used to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs), and KAP was scored using Bloom’s cut-off. Chi-Square goodness-of-fit tests were performed, and regression analyses were used for association analysis. The threshold for significance was p < 0.05.ResultsThis group included 82 men and 279 women, with a combined mean age of 57.9 ± 14 years. Twenty one (~ 26%) men and 41 (15%) women had type 1 diabetes. The diabetes type distribution significantly differed by gender (p < 0.001). Oral hypoglycaemics (71%) were most commonly administered for management. DF was observed in 53% (95% CI = 50–56) of PLWD. Other DF symptoms observed were abnormal ABI (53%), peripheral neuropathy (53%), foot ulceration (17%) and amputation (3%). Peripheral neuropathy increased the risk of ulceration (OR = 1.7; 95% CI = 1.1–2.6; p = 0.019), while insulin use was protective against amputation (OR = 0.1; 95% CI = 0.1–0.9; p = 0.049). Most (87%) of the participants demonstrated good DF knowledge and the importance of adhering to medication to prevent DF. However, 96% did not know that smoking was a risk factor for DF. Nearly two-thirds (63%) demonstrated poor attitudes and practices. Poor attitudes and practices were not predictors of DF ulceration risk (p > 0.05).ConclusionThis study showed that there was a high prevalence of DF (53%) in PLWD in Zimbabwe, and insulin use was protective against DF. There is an urgent need for policy revisions to include foot screening in routine primary care and increasing insulin use for PLWD to prevent complications such as DF as an integral part of primary care.

Complementing Braden scale for pressure ulcer risk with clinical and demographic-related factors in a large cohort of hospitalized Italian patients

AimsTo determine the prevalence, risk, and determinants of pressure ulcer risk in a large cohort of hospitalized patients. DesignA prospective cross-sectional study with data collection in January 2023. MethodsRegistered nurses collected data from 798 patients admitted to 27 health care units of an Italian hospital. The pressure ulcer risk was assessed using the Braden scale. The presence of comorbidities was collected from clinical reports. Obesity was assessed according to international indicators (Body Mass Index). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to estimate the sensitivity and specificity of different Braden scores for identifying participants with pressure ulcers. ResultsThe prevalence of pressure ulcers was 9.5%, and 57.4% of the sample were at risk of developing pressure ulcers. The area under the ROC curve was 0.88. The best sensitivity and specificity were found for a Braden cutoff score of 15.5 (sensibility = 0.76; specificity = 0.85). The determinants of lower Braden scores were older age (p < 0.001), comorbidities (p < 0.001), wounds of other nature (p = 0.001), urinary incontinence (p < 0.001), fecal incontinence (p < 0.001), and urinary catheterization (p < 0.001). ConclusionSeveral demographic factors and specific clinical indicators have been identified as determinants of the risk of developing pressure ulcers, which are easily ascertainable by healthcare providers; thus, they may routinely complement the Braden Scale in the assessment of pressure ulcer risk in order to reinforce and accelerate clinical judgment.

Self-care of chronic illness prevents the risk of diabetic foot ulcers in patients with diabetes: a cross-sectional study

Introduction: Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a serious and chronic complication of diabetes mellitus (DM). This study aims to explain a model of self-care of chronic illness on the prevention of DFU risk in patients with DM, including foot self-care of maintenance, monitoring, and management. Methods: This study was an analytical study with a cross-sectional approach, with 300 patients randomly selected from six Public Health Centers in Surabaya, Indonesia, from June to August 2022. The inclusion criteria were individuals with DM and aged more than 26 years. Exclusion criteria were reading disabilities or having cognitive impairments Data were collected using a questionnaire. The correlation between variables was analyzed using the statistical method of Partial Least Squares. Results: The risk of DFU in patients with DM was 40% with low risk, 38% with moderate risk, 8% with high risk, 5% remission, and 10% with DFU. This research shows that there is a significant correlation between foot self-care management and the risk of DFU, where the p-value = 0.000, while the indicators of foot self-care maintenance and self-care monitoring do not have a significant correlation with the risk of DFU, where the p-value is respectively equal to 0.350 and 0.844. Conclusions: Foot self-care management was a factor that directly correlates with the risk of DFU. Autonomous self-care management behaviors still needed to be improved, because most patients still had these inadequate behaviors. Further research is needed to improve the behavior quality of patients with DM in managing foot care independently.

The Influence of Honey and Hydrogel Products Therapy on Healing Time in Diabetic Foot.

Diabetic foot ulcer is a serious and common complication of diabetes that often leads to significant morbidity and even amputation if not properly treated. Current treatment options, such as wound dressing, have limitations in promoting efficient healing. There is a need for effective interventions that can expedite the healing process and enhance the time required for complete healing. This prospective single-blinded randomized control trial studied diabetic mellitus type 2 patients with ulcer in their second-degree feet from February 2019 to February 2023 in the Diabetic Foot Center, King Fahad Specialist Hospital Al Qassim-KSA. This study involved 120 patients with a mean age of 59.64 ± 10.21. And 63% to 52.5% of them were males and 57% to 47.5% were females. The mean healing time was about 12.76 ± 4.08 days. Cases were divided into 4 equal groups with altered treatment procedures: honey alone, hydrogel alone, honey, and hydrogel combination alternately (3 intervention groups), and fucidin ointment or cream alone (1 control group), with 30 participants in each group. We revealed that the mean healing times for honey alone, hydrogel alone, and honey and hydrogel alternately were 12.20, 13.97, and 10.83 days, respectively. While it was 14.03 days in the control Fucidin ointment or cream [significantly P < .05 (P = .004)]. From the findings of the present study, we noticed that faster healing time among diabetic foot cases could be accomplished by treatment with a combination of honey and hydrogel alternately. Therefore, this therapy is effective in reducing the risk of diabetic foot ulcers.

Can acupuncture increase microcirculation in peripheral artery disease and diabetic foot syndrome? - a pilot study.

Globally, diabetes mellitus (DM) and peripheral artery disease (PAD) have an increasing incidence and a high prevalence and are both associated with high morbidity and complication rates, e.g., as chronic non-healing peripheral ulcers. Impaired macro- and microcirculation and peripheral neuropathy lead to an increased risk of foot ulcers and infections. These complications are difficult to treat, have a high risk of becoming chronic and often lead to lower limb amputation. The aim of this planned study was to investigate the potential effects of acupuncture on improving microcirculation in patients with Diabetic Foot Syndrome (DFS) and PAD. In 18 patients with chronic non-healing peripheral ulcers and diagnosed DM or PAD, data on 8 microcirculatory parameters were collected simultaneously on intact skin close to the wound margin. Microcirculation was assessed using an O2C device combining laser Doppler shift and white light spectroscopy (LEA Medizintechnik GmbH, Giessen, Germany). Unilateral and bilateral acupuncture was performed on the connecting line between acupuncture points Stomach 14 and Stomach 15. After unilateral acupuncture (ipsilateral to the wound side), a statistically significant improvement in 7 out of 8 microcirculatory parameters was demonstrated compared to baseline measurements before acupuncture. After bilateral acupuncture, there was an additional improvement and statistical significance in all parameters in both DFS and PAD patients. These results show an improvement in the microcirculation and peripheral blood flow at the edges of the wound. As impaired micro- and macrocirculation is considered to be a critical prognostic factor for the healing of a peripheral lesion, the intervention could have a positive impact on the healing of (chronic) peripheral wounds.

Association between antidepressants and the risk of diabetic foot ulcers and amputation in antidepressant-naïve type 2 diabetes mellitus patients: A nested case-control study

AimsAntidepressants are widely used by individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study aimed to explore the correlation between antidepressant use, considering specific antidepressant subclasses or cumulative doses, and diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) risk. MethodsThis nested case-control study was conducted using a representative population-based Korean cohort database from 2002 to 2019. Participants with DFUs were matched with participants without DFUs based on age, sex, date of T2DM diagnosis, and follow-up duration. In total, 791 DFUs and 3900 controls were included. The association between antidepressant use or cumulative dose of each antidepressant subclass, DFU risk and amputation risk was examined using a conditional logistic regression model. ResultsAntidepressant ever-use was associated with an increased incidence of DFUs compared with non-use. Furthermore, an increase in DFU risk was evident with increasing cumulative antidepressant dosage, particularly among tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) ever-users and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) ever-users. Additionally, antidepressant ever-users displayed a higher risk of DFUs requiring amputation, which was consistently observed when the cumulative dosages of overall antidepressants and TCAs were considered. ConclusionCaution is advised when administering TCAs and SSRIs in antidepressant-naïve T2DM patients to reduce DFU and the consequent amputation risk.